The other college presidents nearly laughed Earl Danieley out of the place when he publicly entertained the possibility Republican Jim Holshouser might be elected governor.

A Republican hadn’t won the position since the Reconstruction Era and the General Assembly had been dominated by Democrats just as long.

Danieley, president emeritus of Elon University, was at a planning meeting of church-related college presidents and someone suggested the group invite the governor-elect to speak at that year’s November meeting. Greensboro College’s president mentioned he was friends with Democratic nominee Hargrove “Skipper” Bowles and would extend an invitation. Danieley mentioned he knew Holshouser and would invite him as well.

“They just howled,” Danieley said Tuesday. “I just said, ‘OK, well there are two men running. We’ll just invite them both and the winner will speak and the one who doesn’t win won’t speak.’”

Holshouser spoke.

“The greatest thing you can say about Jim Holshouser: He was such a gentleman that the Democrats in control of both houses worked with him … He did not make enemies. He made friends,” Danieley said. “He went to both houses with programs … that were good for the state. They realized he would work with them fairly.”

Holshouser was born in Boone and, after graduating from the UNC School of Law, served as a representative of Watauga County in the General Assembly and was the House Minority Leader. He was also chair of the state’s Republican Party from 1966 to 1972. He was elected governor in 1972 and completed his term in 1977.

Holshouser died Monday at a Pinehurst hospital at the age of 78. Funeral services are planned for Friday at Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church in Southern Pines.

Danieley first met Holshouser in the late 1960s and then hosted a campaign reception for him during his run for governor. They quickly became friends, keeping in close contact throughout the decades. Danieley considers him one of the most thoughtful and considerate people he’s ever known.

By 1983, they were both serving on the University of North Carolina’s Board of Governors — which Holshouser created when he consolidated the state’s public university system. They served 12 years together on the board.

“He loved the university. He served it so effectively. He always had the answer to perplexing problems,” Danieley said. “He was an unbelievably effective member of the board. He was always quiet, never pushy. But so glib and so wise.”

HOLSHOUSER’S WIFE,Patricia Hollingsworth Holshouser, was Catherine Johnson’s first cousin. She recalls seeing the Holshousers and their daughter, Jenny, at family reunions and other gatherings once a year.

“He was one of a kind, really. He could listen to all sides and make the best decisions for North Carolina and the people,” Johnson said.

Page 2 of 2 - During Holshouser’s campaign for governor, Johnson — now an associate dean at Alamance Community College — was engaged to current Alamance County Superior Court Judge Rob Johnson. The soon-to-be newlyweds were presented at the 1973 Governor’s Ball.

“It was like a fairy tale,” Catherine Johnson said. “Then, when we were getting married, people kept asking if the governor was coming to the wedding. I would say, ‘Yes, he’s going to be there, but I hope you’re coming to see us get married.’”

The Johnsons have a picture of the Holshousers in the receiving line at the ceremony.

“Jim is one of the smartest people I’ve ever known. He had integrity and common sense. But more than that, he was pleasant and wonderful to be around,” Johnson said.

BYRON TUCKER, announcer for 920AM WPCM, served for 18 months in Holshouser’s security team at the Governor’s Mansion. At the time, the top five graduates of the N.C. Highway Patrol were automatically assigned to the Executive Security Team, escorting the governor and first family.

“It was kind of like the Secret Service,” Tucker said. “Governor Holshouser extended my stay (with executive security). The longer I stayed, the more responsibility I had with his travel. Where they were, you were.”

Tucker escorted the governor around the state, to games at UNC and to meals at Chapel Hill’s Rathskeller — one of Holshouser’s favorite places to eat.

“He was very conversational. He would talk about things other than politics. He loved sports,” Tucker said. “Out of respect, he never called me anything other than ‘Trooper Tucker’ and I called him ‘Governor.’”

Tucker recalls the governor being sensitive to the needs of North Carolinians.

During the gas crisis, Holshouser asked to be escorted in the most fuel efficient vehicle the state had. He was aware the Lincoln Town Cars and other vehicles in the state’s fleet were gas guzzlers.

Afterward, Holshouser was driven around in a six-cylinder Carolina-blue Plymouth Valiant

“He didn’t think it was right to be in a Town Car when people were waiting in lines for gas,” Tucker said. “Also, during the energy issue and gas crisis, someone made a bicycle with a generator on it to power the mansion’s Christmas tree. Jenny would ride on the bike and provide power to light the tree.”

Part of Tucker’s job was also to make sure the governor was on time for each of the events and speaking engagements scheduled during tours of the state. That sometimes proved difficult because of Holshouser’s way with conversation and people.

“He was just one heck of a guy,” Tucker said. “I can’t speak from a political standpoint — historians do that kind of thing — but I can’t say enough good things about him.”